FashionClub.com Daily

5 Fab Friday - Happy 4th of July!

This week I'm all about patriotic, American flag-inspired, stars and stripes to wear while I'm watching fireworks.  Happy 4th of July!  --Angel

I'm absolutely mad for this preppy-meets-Popeye-the-Sailor-Man navy and white cardigan! It's perfect to throw over my shoulders when night falls.
Striped Boyfriend Cardigan from Alloy, $36.50

This is one of the coolest belts for guys I've seen! The distressed gray leather is so effortless with jeans and a graphic tee.
Distressed Country Belt from Urban Outfitters, $38

Red and white stripes are so adorably festive for the 4th, no?  This dress is fab because it's about as easy and wearable as a dress can possibly be.
Striped Bra Cup Dress from Wet Seal, $16.50

This comfy cotton tee features the grand old flag, just what you need to celebrate in patriotic style.
Men's 2008 Flag Tee from Old Navy, $5

This necklace is a sweet touch to any 4th of July ensemble (especially if I'm sporting the red and white dress above!). 
Falling Star Necklace from For Love 21, $7

Skinny Burmuda Shorts Are Everywhere!

It seems like skinny burmudas are one of the hottest looks of the summer.

Of course, you could always cut off a pair of old jeans, but then you would have to get them hemmed, or hem them yourself.

I looked around and found a few pairs that won't break the bank.

The ones above are from Delias.com, are $29.50, and come in sizes from 00 to 15/16. We love that!

The ones below are from Forever21.com and are $22.80.

Macys.com has these Lucky Brand denim burmudas, originally $94, now $35.25.

American Eagle (ae.com) has four pairs of denim burmudas, including the ones below, for $39.50.

Everywhere I look, I see denim burmudas!

Actually, Madonna and her BFF Sandra Bernhard started the trend back in the early '90s, when they were often spotted together wearing knee-length, cuffed Levi 501s, THE pant of the era.

So for all you retro souls out there, denim burmudas are a true blue fashion revival! --Belissa

Hair Removal Tips for Summer-Perfect Skin

So it's officially summer, which means it's finally time to debut your most favorite swimsuits, cute little jean shorts, and colorful tank tops.  Before you step out into the sun get the bare facts on hair removal techniques that'll give you silky, summer-ready skin!  --Angel

WAXING
What It Is: Warm or cold wax is spread over the skin, then strips of cloth or paper are pressed into it. The strips are then ripped off quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth.
Pros: Waxing provides long-lasting results, sometimes up to 8 weeks! Plus, large sections of hair can be removed at one time.
Cons: Waxing hurts! The pain may become more and more tolerable over time, but the initial waxing will likely be rather painful.
Try: Bliss Poetic Cosmetic Waxing Kit, $45
Tip: To help make it a little less painful, take a pain reliever about 20 minutes prior to waxing.

SHAVING
What It Is: Cutting the hair at the surface of the skin with a sharp razor blade.
Pros: This is perhaps the least expensive and quickest form of hair removal. You can use disposable razors or upgrade to electric.
Cons: Shaving only removes hair above the skin so the results are not as long-lasting (you may actually have to shave everyday).
Try: Schick Quattro for Women, $10
Tip: Avoid shaving first think in the morning when you've just woken up - your skin will be much more taut later in the day, making for a closer shave.

DEPILATORY
What It Is: A cream, gel, or lotion containing chemicals that dissolve hair.
Pros: Depilatories are available at most drugstores and they're very inexpensive.
Cons: These are commonly messy with an offensive odor.  If left on too long depilatories can cause chemical burns.
Try: Nair Pretty Hair Remover Cream Soft Peach, $5
Tip: Because you won't know if depilatories will irritate your skin until you try one, test a small patch of hair on your leg before using it anywhere else.

 

LASER
What It Is: A laser produces pulses of high-energy light that directs heat the the hair follicle and causes it to go dormant.
Pros: Results can be permanent. After an initial series of 3-5 treatments, hair is gone. You may only need maintenance treatments in yearly intervals!
Cons: Besides being muy expensive, laser hair removal can also be painful and several treatments are needed to achieve results.
Try: Visit HairRemovalJournal.org for information on the country's leading laser hair removal physicians.
Tip: Shop around. This is a big investment that could cost thousands so make sure you go with a reputable establishment with a board-certified physician who's been licensed in your state.

Want help finding the perfect jeans for your body type?  Feeling self-conscious about your overactive sweat glands? If you've got a body image question, email us at AskFashionGirl@fidm.com!

Hat of the Moment: The Fascinator

Sarah Jessica, above, made fashion news by wearing one of these retro creations to the premiere of the Sex & The City movie.

A "fascinator" is a fancy headpiece usually adorned with feathers, flowers, or beads and attached to the head with a hair comb, clip, or headband.

Here are instructions on how to make your own fascinator, or you can buy a kit with everything you'll need from Ascot School of Millinery in Australia.

Below, Paris Hilton and Posh in fascinators. --Belissa

Become an Intern at a Top Fashion Magazine

Style Network is looking for three people to take on coveted internships at a top New York-based fashion magazine this fall. Click here for all the details. --Kim

EcoStiletto Launch Party In L.A.: Newsletter Subscribers Are Invited!

EcoStiletto is an about-to-launch weekly newsletter that "delivers the lowdown on how to reduce your carbon footprint from a ginormous Ugg to an oh-so-slender Manolo."

There are weekly articles on eco-friendly fashion, beauty, and lifestyle picks.

It's free, and puts you in the know about discounts, eco-swag, and go-to green events.

The Party: Tuesday, July 15th from 6-9 p.m. at Ecco Hollywood, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood.

Hybrids valet park free!

Go to EcoStiletto.com and sign up for the newsletter, then RSVP to Info@EcoStiletto.com or call 310-694-0698 for more info. --Belissa

FIDM Students Create Dress from Fiji Water Bottles

Fiji water is busy promoting the recycled dress created from Fiji water bottle labels by FIDM San Francisco Grads Elaine O'Malley and Lisa Fullerton for the recent Discarded to Divine event. The pix above are from the Green with Envy Fashion Experience in West Hollywood where the designers posed with a model in the Fiji dress they created. --Kim 

Style Scoop Interview: Denise Shaw and Adrian Borrego

<Get haute tips from fashionable trendsetters with our Style Scoop Interviews!>

For our latest StyLe ScOoP InTeRvIeW, we tracked down a talented couple who met while attending FIDM. Denise Shaw is a Wardrobe Stylist for E! Entertainment and her husband Adrian Borrego is the Brand Manager for Larok and Elizabeth & James (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's label). Adrian reveals, "We met in a Marketing class and I pretended my car broke down so I asked I could carpool with her." Let's find out what inspires them and get a look at their typical work day! --Kim

DENISE SHAW
FIDM Grad Year and Major: Visual Communications, 2001
Job Title: Wardrobe Stylist, E! Entertainment
Favorite websites: www.eonline.com, www.shopbop.com, www.style.com 

Top sources of inspiration: fashion shows, fashion mags, music

Describe a typical day: Learning about what T.V. shoots the on air talent will be working on and preparing their wardrobe. The rest of the day is spent getting clothing from PR companies, retailers, factories, showrooms and designers. 

What are some of your greatest accomplishments? I always feel a great sense of accomplishment after dressing someone for the red carpet.  It's a lot of pressure but it's still fun to pick out all the diamonds and designer gowns. 

Biggest challenge in your current career? Since I work on a daily show, dressing 3 hosts it can sometimes be a challenge to always have tons of clothing available.  They generally wear things only once so I go through clothing pretty fast!!

Do you have a style icon. If so, who is it and why? I love Kate Moss. Also, Cate Blanchett is gorgeous and always wears something that makes a statement. 

What do you love most about your career? I love that each day there is a new challenge.  I am always searching for the perfect outfit.

What's the one skill you couldn't do your job without? Accounting.  It's not something glamorous but it is incredibly important to stay on top of things. Time management is also huge.

Anything else you'd like to add? Internships are a great way to network and get experience. Styling is a competitive field. Put yourself out there to make your dreams a reality. 

ADRIAN BORREGO
FIDM Major: Apparel Manufacturing Management
Job Title: Brand Manager for Larok and Elizabeth & James, which are divisions of Koral LLC
Favorite websites: www.UFC.com and www.Dodgers.com

Top sources of inspiration: My dreams

 

Describe a typical day: Meet with my design team in NYC, my factories in Asia, my PR team in NYC, my sales managers in NYC. Decide best road for us then advise the owners, Jane Siskin, Jalal
Elbasri, Peter Koral, Sam Abebe, Mary Kate Olsen, Ashley Olsen.

What are some of your greatest accomplishments? Marrying the love of my life, hearing my mother tell me she's proud of me, a sense that the people who've helped me along the way would feel good about the time they invested in me.

Biggest challenge in your current career? Growth of luxury labels during a recession.

Do you have a style icon. If so, who is it and why? Waylon Jennings, because he's raw and the ladies loved him!

What do you love most about your career? The pressure!

What's the one skill you couldn't do your job without? Confidence.

Anything else you'd like to add? Failures are the keys to success, as long as you have the courage to get up again.

Weekly FIDM Update

Here's what's happening on the FIDM Blog this week:

Actress Shelley Hennig Wears Nikolaki by FIDM Instructor and Project Runway star Nick Verreos to the Daytime Emmy's. See the pic.

FIDM Grad Monique Lhuillier Launches "ML for RD" --China, Stemware, & Flatware. Get the details.

FIDM Graphic Design Student wins competition to design symbol for San Francisco dance festival. Read the story.

FIDM Grad Jen Wilder's new fashion line is sold at Fred Segal. Here's more.

5 Fab Friday - High Low Dressing

I am completely mad for this outfit (left), featuring the Scallop Blouse from Karen Zambos, one of my very favorite designers.  The top is on sale for $130, but I would need at least an additional $450 to purchase the rest of the ensemble (the shorts alone are over $200!).  Ladies and gentlemen, a lesson in high-low dressing -- this week I'm mixing the higher-priced Karen Zambos blouse with several bargain pieces to duplicate the look I love so much!  --Angel

These Denim Bermuda Shorts from Forever 21 ($23) are almost identical to the True Religion shorts in the picture above and they cost 90% less -- talk about a deal!

I really like the gunmetal color of these Strappy Gladiator Sandals from Go Jane ($13.99).  Plus they'll be a hit with summer-essential dresses and skirts so I'll get more than my money's worth!

I can't believe this Asian Cherry Blossom Chiffon Headband from Cutesy Girl ($3) costs less than a gallon of gas for my car!  I love that it's a fabric covered headband because scarves tend to slip off.

These Chanel-inspired Mademoiselle Coco Sunglasses from Lulu's ($9) look way more expensive than they really are thanks to the metal accents on the sides. Tres chic!

To give the illusion of one, thick bangle I can stack multiple smaller bangles on my arm. This 24-Piece Textured Bangle Set from Wet Seal ($6) has enough bracelets for both arms!